Scandal

TITLE: SCANDAL

SCRIPTURE: ST. MATTHEW 1:1-18

This past Thursday evening the hit ABC Drama television show – ‘SCANDAL’ – returned for its new season. The show has captured the attention of America and depicts what goes on behind the scenes with those that run our country. Although fictional, many find it very entertaining, to the point that social media – is almost shut down with Tweets during the show each week. I often think there are many that confuse the show with reality.

The main character in the TV Drama is Olivia Pope, played by the wonderful and talented actor Kerry Washington. In the show, the character dedicates her life to protecting the public images of the Nation’s elite and making sure their secrets never get out. Now, that part of the show is not hard to believe at all. We find Scandal in the White House and our Political leaders from the beginning of time. We have seen Scandal after Scandal in Washington, from:

• I did not have Sexual Relations with that Woman

• Hanging Chads in Florida

• There are Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq

• Herman Cane’s run for President and women who came out against him

• General David Petraeus, CIA Director, Affair with a married woman

• Supreme Court Judge Clarence Thomas and Anita Hill

• South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford disappears, eventually found out of country with his lover

It does not disturb me that much whenever we have a new Scandal in our Political Arena. After all, we are voting for Politicians not the Pope. It no longer surprises me whenever a new Scandal arises with our Politicians. I don’t look towards Washington, D.C. to receive any Spiritual guidance. I look toward the Church and my Pastor for that. My problem is when we have the same Scandals in the Church as we do in the World. I won’t even begin to list some of the most recent Scandals in the Church, for I don’t want anyone to think that I am throwing Rocks at anyone. God knows how to deal with His Children and those He has placed in positions of Leadership. All I can tell you is “TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN, MUCH IS REQUIRED.”

Truth be told this morning, Scandals are nothing new as it pertains to God’s people. That is a sad reality, but when viewed at the other end of the spectrum, it is also a blessing in disguise. When it comes to the TV Show - Scandal – I have read where a lot of Christians criticize the show, they have that right. However; we as Christians begin to cross the line when we set out to criticize others that enjoy watching. Here is a Newsflash – It is not a Sin to watch scandal on TV. Are there better things we could watch or be doing with our time, I am sure there are. There are even Christians on Social media that try to act like they are not fans, but know more about the show than they should, if they really were not watching. But the reality is:

• The Bible is the most Scandalous Book ever Written

• We can hardly read an entire book anywhere in the Bible without reading about a Scandal

• In the pages of the Bible, we find some Bad Girls and some Terrible Boys

• Solomon had 300 wives and 700 concubines

• Jesus had a one on one conversation with a Promiscuous woman at the Well, that was against the law, that’s why disciples were shocked when they returned with some food

• Out of all the places they could have stayed - the 2 spies stayed overnight at Rahab the harlots house

• Abraham told the king that his wife was his sister and the King almost slept with her

• Moses killed a man in Egypt and then hid his body in the sand

• One of King David’s sons raped his own little sister

• Cain got mad and killed his brother

• A young teenage girl that was engaged told the town she was pregnant and yet has never known a man, you want to talk about a Scandal!

• Then told them she was pregnant by the Holy Ghost – I am sure many parents raising teenagers have had heard that one before!

Yes my brothers and sisters we find a scandal from the start. Let’s not even talk about our own families – scandal and drama. Scandals began even before the birth of our Savior. It is Matthew’s gospel that opens with an account of Jesus’lineage going all the way back to Abraham – 46 Generations. Generation by generation he lists them:

• 42 Men

• 4 Women

• It was unusual in that patriarchal society to include women